TiVo Teams With Entone for IPTVTiVo Teams With Entone for IPTV

TiVo Inc. is teaming up with a new hardware partner. The DVR pioneer has announced a partnership with Entone Inc. to offer a new solution for IPTV operators that combines TiVo software with Entone's IP set-tops. Software from TiVo includes search and recommendation technology, networked DVR service, and "key elements of the TiVo user experience."

While TiVo is still aggressively pursuing its own hardware strategy, the company has also placed significant emphasis on its cloud-based platform in the service provider market. (See GCI, Pace Boost TiVo's Software Aspirations.)

According to this week's press release, TiVo has chosen to work with Entone specifically because of its existing IPTV deployments. However, Entone's focus on hybrid TV services is likely also appealing to TiVo as it seeks to expand its software footprint across a number of different delivery channels.

Entone products include DVRs, hybrid media players, and gateways with multiple configuration options, and the company recently broke into the retail market through a deal with LG Electronics Inc. (See Entone, LG Blend OTT With Live TV.)

In the retail scenario, LG is marketing an Entone streaming media player that delivers both over-the-top and linear TV services. Although LG has currently only committed to one Entone product, Entone can also integrate the media player with its gateway hardware. That combined solution would allow a consumer electronics company or service provider to deliver any combination of over-the-top, over-the-air, and managed pay-TV services.

With TiVo in the mix, potential customers now get a big-brand software solution to go with their many Entone hardware options.

— Mari Silbey, special to Light Reading Cable